President Dr Mohamed Waheed has today met with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh of India.
At the meeting the President said that India and the Maldives had very close bilateral relations, and noted the importance given by the Prime Minister in strengthening the relations. The President also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation to make the visit to India.
President Waheed said that he was grateful to the Indian government for the confidence placed in him following assumption of office on February 7. Further, the President briefed the Prime Minister on the current economic situation in the Maldives, and the steps being taken by the government to improve the economic status.
The President also expressed his appreciation to the Indian government’s support extended for the housing project, and for the assistance in capacity of building of the security services, including the joint coast guard exercises “DOSTI”.
Prime Minister Singh thanked the President for accepting his invitation, and extended a very warm welcome to the President. The Prime Minister stated that there were fond memories of the visit in November 2011, when he attended the SAARC Summit held in the Maldives.
The Prime Minister said that Maldives was a very close neighbour, and hence peace and stability in the Maldives was of great importance to India. The Prime Minister also spoke on the importance of all stake holders sitting together to find a way out of the political situation peacefully.
Following the meeting, President Dr Mohamed Waheed and First Lady Madam Ilham Hussain attended a luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister, in honour of President Waheed.
